Introduction to Fishing
My first memories of fishing are on the end of our dock on Mobile Bay with my parents and older sister when I was 3 or 4 years old. I had a pink Barbie pole that I absolutely adored. I used it until it fell apart, and I was old enough to get a “big girl fishing pole” for Christmas. Tournament fishing began when my sister joined our high school team. Ultimately, she was the reason we started competing in saltwater and bass tournaments. I can remember pulling up to the boat ramp the morning of our very first bass tournament and seeing the cove full of red and green lights and just feeling that I was a part of something special.
Experiences and Challenges
I would say my most significant positive and negative experience is all wrapped up in one. A week before the opening tournament of the season during my sophomore year of high school, my partner decided to quit the team. On such short notice, I was unable to find a replacement. I walked into that tournament with quite a pessimistic view of not only the tournament but also the whole season. The success from that day gave me the confidence to rely on myself and taught me the importance of not letting things that are out of my control affect my attitude. Looking back, that tournament was a pivotal lesson in perseverance that has helped me through a lot of tough situations.
I feel fortunate that my experience in the industry has been much more positive than negative. I receive overwhelming support from my family, friends, mentors, and scholarships. Both my high school teammates and my Auburn teammates are incredibly supportive and accepting of me. I feel incredibly blessed to have the support system that I do, and I recognize it would not be possible for me to be where I am without them.
Support Systems
Receiving the Helen Sevier Scholarship from BASS and Shimano was my first experience with a support network specifically for women anglers. In addition, I recently met Angie Scott, and I was afforded the opportunity to be on her podcast, The Woman Angler & Adventurer. Both experiences have opened so many doors for me and helped cultivate connections in the industry that have been extremely beneficial and motivating. Experiences like these are instrumental to building confidence and helping women gain space within the industry.
Personal Achievements
I guess I would say my sophomore year in high school would be a significant time for me. I started the season with no partner and very little self-confidence. I finished the season with a top 10 in a qualifier and a top 15 in the High School State Championship. Even though we missed nationals by a few ounces that year, I finished the season with no doubt that I am capable of competing.
Advice for Aspiring Female Anglers
First, I would tell young women and girls interested in fishing to have the confidence to push boundaries and get outside of their comfort zone. Combining competence and confidence is significant to achieving our goals. For those who decide they want to pursue tournament fishing, my advice is to be prepared to work extremely hard. You can take tournament fishing pretty much as far as you want, as long as you are willing to put the time, resources, and work into it. With that being said, don’t let the goal of winning spoil all the fun. It is easy to get caught up in results and be too critical of yourself when, at the end of the tournament day, you don’t have the outcome you know you are capable of. Some of the tournaments where I’ve done the absolute worst at hold some of my favorite memories. Getting to compete in tournaments at any level is an absolute privilege, and it is so important to take in every minute we spend in these beautiful fisheries that God has given us.
Follow Elizabeth Eastman on Instagram: @elizabethneastman
